The Dallas Opera has announced that due to the ongoing health regulations, the Linda and Mitch Hart Institute for Women Conductors will be held online. The two-week residency is still scheduled for February 8-19, 2021. While the curriculum is still being developed, part of the residency includes the opportunity to rehearse with singers and The Dallas Opera Orchestra; fellows will {…}
Two New York City-based opera coaches, Rachelle Jonck and Derrick Goff have launched Bel Canto Boot Camp, a space for singers who had their performances canceled and have no access to in-person rehearsals, lessons, or coaching. Bel Canto Boot Camp originated as The Vaccai Project, a program started in March 2020, that serves as an online practice diary akin to {…}
In late May, the COVID-19 pandemic relented for a spell, enticing parts of the United States to reopen after weeks of lockdown. Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer in the States, was in full swing. 2020 had a disastrous start, but big cities like New York had the virus somewhat contained. Worldwide, the insidious threat of sickness and {…}
The Dallas Opera has announced that it will be partnering with WRR 101.1 FM to broadcast two operas. First up will be Gounod’s “Faust” in a performance from 1998. The showcase features Stuart Neil in the title role with Veronica Villarroel as Marguerite. Robert Lloyd finishes off the trio as Méphistofélès. The performance is particularly memorable for the company as {…}
The Dallas Opera has announced pay cuts and furloughs for administrative and artistic staff as part of the company’s efforts to manage the financial difficulties brought on by COVID-19 crisis. Additionally, the organization will reduce the salary of other company members; the salary reductions, which range from 10 to 25 percent, commence on May 1; staff that is furloughed from {…}
The Dallas Opera has canceled the remainder of its season. The company released a press release that stated, “In this constantly evolving public health crisis, The Dallas Opera is closely monitoring latest developments in the U.S. and around the world. The safety of our audiences, artists, and staff is our top priority and as a company, we are closely following {…}
Opera America has announced that it has awarded $220,000 to develop new American operas with seven different companies. The recipients of the grants include The American Opera Project and Seagle Music Colony, Beth Morrison Projects, Houston Grand Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Diego Opera, and The Dallas Opera. The American Opera Project and Seagle Music Colony are working together {…}
(Photo courtesy of Dallas Opera) In celebration of the fifth anniversary of the Hart Institute for Women Conductors, the Dallas Opera is set to present a showcase concert on Nov. 9, 2019 at the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House. The performance will feature singers from Opera for Peace as well as the Dallas Opera. Among the 2019 conductors that {…}
The Dallas Opera is set to present a two-day celebration to mark the opening of the Dallas Opera’s 2019-2020 “Standing Ovation” Season: FIRST NIGHT.” FIRST SIGHT and FIRST NIGHT 2019 are the official opening events of a season-long observance of TDO’s tenth anniversary in the internationally-acclaimed Winspear Opera House, which is set to be chaired by Kim and Greg Hext. In {…}
The Dallas Opera has canceled the Plácido Domingo gala. The company announced via twitter stating, “In light of ongoing developments regarding allegations made against Plácido Domingo, The Dallas Opera has decided to cancel the March 11, 2020 gala, in which he was scheduled to perform. Information on future TDO special events will be announced at a later date.” The announcement {…}
The Dallas Opera has announced that American mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe has won its 2019 Maria Callas Debut Artist of the Year Award. The Maria Callas Award, established during the 1991-92 season, is “given to a single performer each season in recognition of a particularly memorable and outstanding company debut” – in this case, Blythe’s “saucy, scene-stealing portrayal of Mistress Quickly in {…}